April 14 performance concludes local NAACP 65th anniversary events

Former Crestview City Council Member Lillie Conyers, seen during a 2008 meeting of the council, is the beneficiary of this weekend's performance of "Up on the Mountain."

By BRIAN HUGHES / News Bulletin

Published: Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 06:50 PM.

CRESTVIEW — The NAACP’s Okaloosa County chapter will conclude its weekend celebration of the organization's 65th anniversary with a performance of a play benefiting a community leader's health expenses.

"Up on the Mountain," a three-act drama about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy, by Crestview playwright Anetta Nichols, will be performed 5:30 p.m. April 14 at the Crestview Community Center.

With the Crestview City Council's approval Monday night, the city has waived its usage fee for the center, assuring that all box office receipts will benefit former City Councilwoman Lillie Conyers, who served on the council from 2007 to 2009.

Conyers, who succeeded the late Sam Hayes, is receiving treatment in Jacksonville for an unspecified illness, said local NAACP President Sabu Williams.

"We're just trying to help her through some of these challenges," Williams said. "It's hard enough having to go through medical treatment and then the financial issues on top of it are so hard."

Conyers must maintain a Jacksonville residence along with her Crestview home while she receives treatment.

"Up on the Mountain" is directed by Nikki Ford and features a local cast. It is being produced in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of King's assassination on April 4, 1968.

CRESTVIEW — The NAACP’s Okaloosa County chapter will conclude its weekend celebration of the organization's 65th anniversary with a performance of a play benefiting a community leader's health expenses.

"Up on the Mountain," a three-act drama about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy, by Crestview playwright Anetta Nichols, will be performed 5:30 p.m. April 14 at the Crestview Community Center.

With the Crestview City Council's approval Monday night, the city has waived its usage fee for the center, assuring that all box office receipts will benefit former City Councilwoman Lillie Conyers, who served on the council from 2007 to 2009.

Conyers, who succeeded the late Sam Hayes, is receiving treatment in Jacksonville for an unspecified illness, said local NAACP President Sabu Williams.

"We're just trying to help her through some of these challenges," Williams said. "It's hard enough having to go through medical treatment and then the financial issues on top of it are so hard."

Conyers must maintain a Jacksonville residence along with her Crestview home while she receives treatment.

"Up on the Mountain" is directed by Nikki Ford and features a local cast. It is being produced in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of King's assassination on April 4, 1968.

"It was written by a young airman on the base in January," Williams said. "She wrote the play about Dr. King from his mother's perspective.

"I encourage people to come and see, and come and learn. It's a good family event. We're doing it in afternoon so we don't step on any church-goers' toes."

Want to go?

"Up on the Mountain," a play about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will be performed 5:30 p.m. April 14 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive (behind the post office). Admission is $5.